Over the past several years most of us have become well acquainted with the task of recycling. Instead of tossing everything into one or two large containers on garbage collection day, we now take the time to sort bottles, cans, plastics, paper and in some cases even our table scraps so that they can be collected and given new life. Taking the extra time to do this is good for the environment, but is that all we can do? What about the things that we are recycling?
The fact is that almost everything that we throw out or recycle can be used in ways other than what they were originally intended to be used for.
Composting
Composting table scraps is the easiest way to provide your flower or vegetable garden with the nutrients it needs and can be done with little effort. Adding organic compost to your garden will improve its structure and water-holding capacity. It also provides aeration for soils that contain too much clay or sand. You do not need a fancy container or compost bin to create your own compost either. All you need is an inconspicuous spot in your yard and a pitchfork.
Composting Alternatives
- One of the biggest contributions to the compost bin are the small amounts of vegetables that are left over from meals. There aren`t enough left over to bother saving, so into the bin they go. Instead of composting them, put them in a zip-lock bag on the freezer and keep adding to the bag each time there are bits left after meals. Before long you will have enough to add to a stew or casserole or to make a vegetable bisque.
- Work used coffee grounds into the soil around rose bushes.
- Add used coffee grounds to your bait box when you go fishing. The grounds are lighter than soil so the worms will be easier to find. The coffee also comes off of hands easier.
- Apply a wet used tea bag to burns or scrapes to ease the pain.
Alternatives to Recycling Plastics
- Use green plastic berry baskets to keep rodents away from bulbs in the garden. Set the basket at the right depth in your garden, place bulb(s) inside and cover up with dirt.
- String several plastic jugs ( the kind with the handle) on long lines to mark designated swimming areas at the cottage.
- Cut the bottom from a plastic jug with a handle and use as a scoop. The come in especially handy especially handy for pet food and large bags of potting soil.
- Use plastic draw-string onion bags to take toys to the beach. They will dry out in no time.
- Save sheets of bubble wrap and use it as a pillow on your next camping trip. It is comfortable and doesn`t take on a musty smell like a regular pillow.
Alternatives to Recycling Glass Jars
- Use larger glass jars to store dried beans, rice, pasta or flour.
- Use smaller glass jars to store, herbs, spices, buttons and beads.
Alternatives to Recycling Paper
- Use old newspapers to clean windows.
- Ball up a few pieces of old newspaper and put in wet shoes or boots to help them dry. (it will also help keep their shape)
- Use newspaper as a disposable drop sheet when painting or staining.
- Wrap Christmas lights around empty paper towel tubes and secure with an elastic band so they don’t get tangled.
- Use empty wrapping paper tubes to store and protect florescent light tubes.
Alternatives to Recycling Tin Cans
- Decorate with brightly colored paint and use as a pencil holder.
- Remove both ends of a tin can and push it into the earth around young garden plants. The can will protect the plants from being devoured by cut worms.
- Remove the label from an empty tin can, punch some small holes in it, paint it and use as an outdoor candle holder.
Miscellaneous
- Cut the entire leg off of pantyhose and use to stake tomatoes in the veggie garden. They wont dig into the plants like string.
- Use old pantyhose to store onions so they don’t sprout. Fill the legs with onions, tying a knot after each onion and hang in a cool dark place. When you need an onion, just cut between the bottom knot.
- Use old car tires painted bright colors as planters for strawberries or flowers.
- Use Popsicle sticks as garden markers. Write the type of seeds you have planted on the stick with permanent marker and push into soil.
- Instead of taking several almost empty cans of paint to the landfill, mix them all together. The color may not be pretty, but it can be used as a base coat for another painting project.
When doing your part to help save the environment, always remember that it takes more energy to recycle than it does to reuse. So before next recycling day, take a look at what you`ve got and then think of how it can be put to good use.
